Don’t let employment law, compliance, or people management distract you from growing your business.
Professionals in Partnership is your local, outsourced HR consultancy, providing support to you without the cost or complexity of employing an HR manager.
Karen Ferris, FCIPD
“Calm, pragmatic advice — proportionate to the size of your business.”
About you
Does this sound like your business?
Our approach is proportionate, practical and commercially realistic.
Unsure which laws apply
You know employment law matters, but you aren’t sure which rules apply to you or how to stay compliant without drowning in paperwork.
No HR to turn to
Your business has grown and suddenly you have employees, contracts and people issues to manage, but no HR department to turn to.
Worried about disputes
You want to treat your team fairly, but you’re worried that an informal process might lead to a costly dispute or an employment tribunal claim.
“Best practice” feels like overkill
You find HR “best practice” feels like bureaucratic overkill and you just want practical, sensible advice that is proportional to the size of your business.
HR Support Designed for Small Teams
Most micro-businesses do not need a full HR department, but they do need clear advice, compliant documents and support when issues arise. I specialise in working with:
Our approach is proportionate, practical and commercially realistic.
Why HR Matters – Even for Small Businesses
UK employment law applies regardless of business size and many employment issues arise because processes are informal and undocumented, managers are unsure what the law requires, contracts and policies are outdated and problems are left too long before advice is taken. Getting things right early is far cheaper and far less stressful than fixing problems later.
Why Work With Us
How we help
Three clear ways to help.
Running a micro-business means wearing many hats. We offer three clear ways to help you resolve people challenges, so you can stop worrying about compliance and focus on your business.
The Foundation
Setting up for success
Eliminating the risk of outdated contracts, missing policies, and the fear of tribunal claims.
What you get
Tailored contracts, a staff handbook, core HR policies, and a compliance review — all delivered for a fixed, transparent fee.
The Partnership
Ongoing peace of mind
The isolation of managing staff issues alone, and the uncertainty of how to handle complex performance, absence, or conduct issues.
What you get
Priority day-to-day advice, proactive employment law updates, and policy maintenance to ensure your HR is always manageable and legally sound.
The Specialist
Expert guidance for critical moments
Managing high-stakes personnel issues that could lead to disputes or legal claims if handled incorrectly.
What you get
Clear, expert, fixed-fee support allowing you to make confident, fair, and lawful decisions.
Across the lifecycle
Support at every stage, from hire to exit.
We focus on what the law actually requires — reducing risk without unnecessary process, and helping you make confident, fair decisions at each phase of the employment relationship.
“No jargon. No over-engineering. No scare tactics.”
In their words
What our clients say.
Karen is an absolute pleasure to work with — approachable, responsive, and incredibly easy to engage with. She has a real talent for making even complex matters feel clear and manageable. What I value most is her willingness to help, her calm and professional manner, and the confidence she brings to every conversation.
Ben Myerscough
Partner & Chartered Surveyor, Carter Jonas
Karen has been an incredible source of support throughout our time working together. What stands out most is not just her knowledge and professionalism, but her empathy, compassion, and genuine care for the people she supports. Her guidance and reassurance have been invaluable, and I truly value both her expertise and the way she works with people.
Parvynder Hibbert
Director & Registered Manager, The Phlebotomist
Karen’s knowledge and practical advice have helped us manage employee matters efficiently, while ensuring we remain fully compliant. Always approachable and highly responsive, Karen has supported us through some challenging situations with professionalism and confidence. Her clear, practical guidance has been invaluable to our business.
Gillian Satterly
Director, Active Plumbing Supplies
Karen’s in-depth knowledge and expertise have been invaluable to us as an expanding Agri-tech business. She applies a pragmatic approach to issues and support requests and takes time to understand the business’s challenges. Karen and her team are always highly professional and responsive, guiding us through processes and ensuring that we are applying best practice and are up to date with any changes to Employment Legislation.
Amanda Carver
Director, New Energy Farms
Karen has been an invaluable source of support to our office. She consistently brings a wealth of knowledge, professionalism and experience, always taking the time to offer thoughtful advice and guidance with a smile. Her approachable nature and willingness to help make a real difference in the workplace.
Laura Bigley
Associate Director, Gunter & Co Interior Design
Karen is a great asset to our business as she is only a call away in providing advice or documentation on all aspects of employment and HR. As a small business, Karen has allowed us to keep up to date with current and new legislation in an easy and efficient way.
Ian Bowler
Director, Bowler Oakfield Chartered Surveyors
I’ve found working with Karen to be both supportive and highly effective. She has a great ability to listen, understand my needs, and provide thoughtful guidance that helped me move forward with confidence. What I value most is her professionalism, responsiveness, and genuine commitment to delivering excellent support.
Richard Baker
Managing Director, Wessex Woodland Management Ltd
Karen is an absolute pleasure to work with — approachable, responsive, and incredibly easy to engage with. She has a real talent for making even complex matters feel clear and manageable. What I value most is her willingness to help, her calm and professional manner, and the confidence she brings to every conversation.
Ben Myerscough
Partner & Chartered Surveyor, Carter Jonas
About us
Trusted, pragmatic HR.
Founded in 2016, Professionals in Partnership was created to bridge the gap for small businesses who want to do things properly, but don’t have the budget or need for a full-time in-house HR department.
FCIPD Qualified
Karen Ferris is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development — advice grounded in the highest professional standards.
Real-World Pragmatism
No over-engineering or scare tactics. We focus on what the law actually requires and how it applies to your business size and sector.
Cross-Sector Experience
Experience across engineering, biotechnology, professional services and agriculture — versatility for your operating environment.
Family-Supported Approach
A family-supported consultancy: Ben, Amelia, and Erin Ferris contribute to operations, administration, and mental health support.
Meet the team
A family-supported consultancy.
Karen leads every client engagement personally, supported by a small, trusted team who keep the practice running so the advice you get is calm, considered and proportionate.
FCIPD
Karen Ferris
Founder & Lead HR Consultant
Fellow of the CIPD with 20+ years across engineering, biotech, professional services and agriculture. Calm, pragmatic, and proportionate — Karen leads every client engagement personally.
Ben Ferris
Director
Co-director and commercial lead. Ben keeps the business steady behind the scenes so Karen and the team can focus on clients.
Erin Ferris
Administrator & Mental Health First Aider
Part-time administrator and certified Mental Health First Aider — supporting both internal operations and client wellbeing conversations.
Recognised, accredited, trusted.
Independently vetted by the bodies that set the standard for HR practice.
SME News
CIPD
fsb
hireful
Albion Legal
Employment law compliance
UK employment law can feel complex, especially for small employers. We help micro-business owners:
My advice is practical, balanced and grounded in real-world business needs. Employment law continues to evolve and applies to businesses of all sizes. I support you, your team and your business by:
We will always explain what you need now, what can wait and what is optional.
Our pricing has a clear scope and is agreed before work starts. Fixed fees or monthly retainers where appropriate. No long tie-ins unless you want ongoing support and advice which is proportionate to your size and risk.
“Karen is an asset to any business, her experience and knowledge in HR is clear. Like many businesses, mine grew and more people were hired – it’s a minefield to navigate HR without appropriate support. I cannot thank Karen enough for the support she has given myself and my team.”
Sue Jukes
Director, Harridge Financial Services
Downloadable HR packs
These downloadable HR and employment law packs are designed specifically for micro-businesses who want to stay compliant, reduce risk and handle people issues properly without employing HR resource or paying ongoing legal fees. Each product is practical, written in plain English and focused on real situations small employers face.
Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures
Legally required to be in writing and must follow the ACAS Code to avoid a 25% uplift in tribunal claims.
DownloadHealth and Safety Policy
Required if you have 5 or more employees. If fewer, you still need the system, just not the written policy.
DownloadAnti-Harassment and Bullying Policy
Essential to meet the “Preventative Duty” regarding sexual harassment; without this, owners are personally liable.
DownloadGDPR and Data Protection Policy
Legally required to inform staff how their personal data is processed and stored.
Download
Family Leave Policy
Updated for April 2026: Paternity and Unpaid Parental Leave are now Day One rights.
DownloadWhistleblowing Policy
Now explicitly includes protections for those reporting sexual harassment as a standalone category.
DownloadRight to Work Checklist
You must keep a record of these checks for every single employee to avoid massive civil penalties.
Download